Greetings from Madison!
I arrived yesterday to help move people from the airport to the conference center. Thankfully, the day went better than it started....I arrived at the car rental place to secure my "reserved" 7 passenger van. "Sir, there seems to be problem" are not encouraging words at 7:30 am and you are on a tight schedule to meet Carole Reis at the airport by 11:30 and your a 3-hour drive away. It all worked out, but a later conversation with Mary Britt (who made her way through college working for a car rental company) was very enlightening. No more "Web Reservations" for me!
The AACT Executive Board meets just ahead of the conference, so most of those folks arrived yesterday, had a meeting over dinner last night and then meet most of the day today.
Not sure who is all here as some arrived by car, but I did see...in order of appearance....Carole Reis, Dennis Gilmore, Linda Lee, Eric Shepard, John Kerkoff, Jill Patchin, Gary Walker, Jen Deters and Mary Britt.
A big welcome to Jen Deters as she is here from Alaska for her first conference!
Eric Shepard came in early to take in a show in Miwaukee that he is considering (sorry, can't recall the title).
Lowell Hall has undergone some extensive renovations. Most notably is the additional parking and the lobby/reception area. All nice changes to be sure. Seems that wireless is now throughout the building which is a nice add-on as well.
Today will be the busy transport day with at least 24 people on my pick-up list! And they wondered at the rental company why a Ford Taurus wouldn't work!
More to come . . . .
-Kurt